US2406784A - Overcap applying machine - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 3, 1946.

A. E. ALMGREN OVERCAPl APPLYING- MACHINE 1o sheets-sheet 41 Filed March 19, 1942 INVENTOR t BY ATTORNEYS MHH Sept. 3, 1946. A. E. ALMGRx-:N 2,406,734

ovERcAP APPLYING MACHINE l Filed March 19, 1942-' 1o sheets-sheet 2 /7/ 9 rfi 4 T` INVENTOR ATTORNEYS 3, -1945 l A. E. ALMGRENY 2,406,784

OVERCAP APPLYING MACHINE ATTORNEYS ASept 3, 1946. A. E. ALMGREN 2,406,784

n OVERCAP APPLYING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1942 l0 Shelets-Sheet l5 Sept. 3,1946. A. E. ALMGRE'N OVERCAP APPLYING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 19, 1942 Sept. 3, 1946.` A. E. ALMGREN 2,406,784

OVERGAP APPLYING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1942 1o sheets-sheet 7 Sept. 3, 1946.

A. E. ALMGREN OVERGAP APPLYING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1942 10 'Sheets-Sheet 8 Sept. 3, 1946.v A. E. ALMGREN y OVERCAP APPLYING MACHINE 1o sheets-sheet' e Filedl March 19, 1942 i 266 Zai Zfi ff? 'Zail Patented Sept. 3, 1946 lUNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE l n 2,406,784 Y, oviinonr APPLYING August E. Mmmm-Hillside, N. Yassignmlto AmericaiLCanQOmpany, `New York, N. Y., a corporation of New lJersey Application March 19, 1942, seriafNo. 433,394

s claims. (ci. 164-48?) The 'present yinventicin relates to a machine `v"for applying over-caps to containers and the like and has particular reference to 'cttingof a prti of a web of overca-'p material to produce an over- Icanto placing the, severed overcap in position on a container, and to securing the -o'vercap in place while 'the containers are movi-ng through the machine in a continuous procession.v

In the -manu-facture of fibre containers of the character nshown in United States Patent 2,085,- 979, issued July 6,' 1937, to lJohn yM. -HothersalL and 1i articularly used for milk, the container after being rfilled and sealed is protected prefrably by an oveifc'ap 'of -cellulo's'ic material such as Cellophane r the like which is crimped i-'n `place over the top end yof the container.

The instant invention Aconteinpla'tes an fimproved machine which cuts 'the material for 'such an o'vercap from 'a substantially continuous *strip and secures `the overc'ap in place on the container by crimping it tightly 'over the edges of lthe container while applying heat to the crimped edges of the overcap.

An object therefore of the invention is the provision of an improved overcapping machine wherein the material for the overcap is severed from a substantially Vcontinuous trip of material, tlie cut-'off overcap is transferred to a position on top 'of 4a'cont'ain'er to be protected, 'and then is sealed permanently in "place aio'und its edges by applying heat and pressure thereto thus protectin'g the surface it covers against contamination.

Numerous other objects and advantages -of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in 'connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof. n

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan Vviewrof a machine embodying 'the instant invention, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View ef the upper por'- tion of a container and anv overcap :to be applied thereto in the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken substantially along the line 3 3 in Fig. `1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 Vis a transverse section taken rsubstantially along the broken line #4 in Fig. 3, with parts broken away;

Fig, 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken substantially along the broken line 5-5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a 'horizontal section taken substan- 2 tially` along the line 5?-6 in 3, with parts broken away;

Figs. '7' and 8 are enlarged detail views `of a portion .of the machine shown in Fig. 6, the views showing tla movable parts and 'a container Iin different positions, with parts broken away;

Fig. 9 is la View similar to Fig. 6 and showing the .movable parts in a `different position;

Fig. 10 is aver-tical vsection taken substantially along the line IBI-|10 'in Fig. l5, with parts broken away; y

Fig.. 111 is a 'horizontal section 'taken substantially along the lline vrI I+II in Fig. 3.;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section taken substantially along Athe line rie-:l2 lin Fig. 11, with parts broken Fig. 13 iis an :enlargedisection of the upper portion of the machine and taken substantially along the v'broken :line |3-I3 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away; i Figs. ylll 'and 15 are fragmentary elevational views of transfer fingers in the machine, 'as viewed "from a .plane indicated 'by the line I 4-I4 in .Fig. 1-3, with parts broken 'away and parts shown in section;

Figs. 16 fand 17 `are sectional details taken substantially V'along the respective lines `Iii-"-I and I'I-ll] in Fig'. '14;

Fig. 18 'is an enlarged .perspective View of a cutting element used -in the machine;

Vlii'g. 19 is an enlarged View of a' clinching head used in the machine, with parts broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 20 .is a 'sectional view taken substantially along the line 20-20 in Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is .-an enlarged detail View of a `lifter pad device used in the niachine with .a container in place, with parts Tof the device being broken back `and shown in section, with a portion 'of the container biken away; y

Fig. 22 is 'an enlarged, exploded perspective View showing `the transfer Enger parts illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15;

Fig. 23 is an enlarged top plan view of a cutting device' lused in the machine; and

Figs. 24 and25 are Vertical sections taken Ysubstantially along the lines 2li-24 and 25e-25 in Fig. v2'3.

a preferred embodiment of the instant invention the drawings illustrate a machine for appl-ying a Cellpl'ialn brother suitable material overcap A (Fig. 2) "to a square bre milk containei B .of the character disclosed in the abovem'e'ntioned -H'o'thersa'll patent. The top of such' a container is secured .in place by a suitable end seam which forms an overhanging ledge C which surrounds the container and it is to this ledge that the overcap is secured in place. It should be understood further that the entire container is provided with a coating of wax or paraffin and this coating when partially melted serves as a bonding agent for holding the overcap'in place on the container.

The containers B are advanced-through the machine in an upright position in a continuous procession in which the individual containers are stopped momentarily at a sealing station where the overcaps are applied. The overcaps are cut from a continuous web or strip D (Fig. 4) of overcap stock preferably fed from a supply roll E. A cut-off overcap is moved into position over the top of a container to be sealed and s held there stationary while the container moves up to meet the overcap. On the upward travel of the container it picks up the overcap and carries it up into a closing head F (Fig. 4) which secures the overcap i-n place.

The positioned overcap is of suicient area to extend beyond the ledges C of the container and these overhanging portions are folded down and inwardly around and against the bottom of the ledges by the closing head F. The closing head also presses the edges of the overcap tightly in place while heating them to produce a permanent seal between the overoap and the wax on the container which binds the overcap to the container and thus encloses the top end thereof.

The containersI B to be capped are introduced into the machine by way of a continuously moving endless beit entrance conveyor 2l (Figs. 1 and 3). The conveyor extends outside the ma.- chine and is driven in any suitable manner. In the machine the conveyor takes over an idler pulley 22 (see also Fig. 4) which is mounted on a short shaft 23 carried in a bearing bracket 24 formed as a part of a frame 25 which constitutes the main frame of the machine.

The conveyor 2l carries the entering containers along a straight line path of travel between a pair of guide rails 25, 21 which are disposed one on each side of the conveyor. These guide rails are bolted to the machine frame 25. Adjacent the inner end of the conveyor the innermost container in the entering line is stopped temporarily against further forward travel by a stop block 3l (Fig. 6) which is bolted to the main frame 25. This temporary pause in the advancement of the container is effected so that it can be brought into time with the other moving parts of the machine.

While the innermost container is in this arrested position it is shifted sidewise from the position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9. This shifting of the container is performed by a transfer arm 35 (Figs. 1, 4 and 6) formed with a push plate 35 (see also Figs. 5

and 9) which engages against a side of the container. The transfer arm is mounted on a vertical rock shaft 31 carried in a bearing 38 (see also Fig. 4) formed in the main frame 25. The lower end of the shaft carries a bell crank 39 having on one leg a cam roller 4I (see also Fig. 11) which operates against an edge cam 42. A spring 44 holds the roller against the cam. One end of the spring is connected to the second leg of the bell crank 39 while the opposite end of the spring is secured to the machine frame 25.

The cam 42 is formed integrally with a bevel gear 46 (Figs. 3, 4 and 12) mounted on a verti-A cal crank shaft 41 carried in a long bearing 48 formed on the main frame 25. The bevel gear 45 meshes with and is driven by a bevel gear 49 mounted on a continuously rotating main drive shaft i) which is journaled in bearings 5l formed in the machine frame 25. The drive shaft may be rotated in any suitable manner.

Hence rotation of the drive shaft 55 rocks the cam arm 39 wand this, through the vertical shaft 31, rocks'the transfer arm 35 at the proper time 'to shift the container B. The transfer arm Ypushes the container into engagement with an offset guide rail 52 (Fig. 6) and since the container is still partially on the conveyor 2l, the arm temporarily holds it in this shifted position under slight pressure to prevent premature longitudinal movement of the container. The guide rail 52 is formed as a part of the guide rail 21.

Provision is maden for stopping the feeding of containers through the machine when there are insufficient containers entering by way of the entrance belt 2l. This is brought about by a hook latch 53 (Figs. 6, 'l and 8) which is mounted on a pivot stud 54 secured in the main frame 25. The latch is backed up by a spring 55 located in a boss 55 formed on the main frame. The inner end of the latch extends into the path of travel of the containers as they approach th'e stop lug 3i.

The latch spring 55 presses the hook latch 53 against the adjacent edge of the container push plate 35 and the hook portion of the latch thus normally holds the plate from movement against the incoming containers as shown in Fig. 8. It is this holding action that prevents feeding of the containers through the machine.

When the line of incoming containers is suiicient, such as shown in Fig. 6, there is enough pressure on the innermost container in the line to form the latch 53 back as far as the stop lug 3l and this releases the hook portion of the latch from the push plate and thus permits the plate to function. Normally there are sufficient containers passing into the machine to keep the push plate in a released condition so that there will be no interruption in the operation of the machine.

Just as the transfer arm 35 begins to move back through a return stroke to release a container shifted into position against the guide rail 52; the container is engaged by a timing finger 51 (Figs. 3 and 6') and is advanced one step longitudinally of the machine. The timing finger 51 is formed on a stroke bar 53 which is disposed adjacent the path of travel of the containers. One end of the stroke bar is pivoted on a rocker arm 59 mounted on a pivot pin Si) secured in a bracket 5| (see also Figs. 5 and 10) fastened to a gear housing 32 bolted to the machine frame 25.

The opposite end of the stroke bar 58 is connected pivotally to a crank 63 mounted on the upper end of the vertical drive or crank shaft 41 (see Fig. 4). By reason of this connection with the drive shaft (i1, the stroke bar 58 is reciprocated through a forward or feeding stroke, as shown in Fig. 9, and thence through a return stroke, as shown in Fig. 6.

Gn the feeding stroke of the stroke bar 58, the timing finger 51 pushes the shifted container B longitudinally of the machine one step in time with the other moving parts of the machine and places it in position on a lifter pad 65 (Figs. 3, 6 and 2l). Guide rails 65 formed on the pad hold the container against displacement During this placing of the container B on the lifter pad 5, a stop or gauge inger 11| (Figs. 6 and 10) is interposed temporarily in the path of travel ofthe Icontainer to bring the latter 'to rest in a predeterminedglocation on the `ipad. The stop .iinger v1I is mounted on .a short :shaft 'I2 which is carried in bearing brackets 13 on vthe main frame .25. The .shaft also .carries a cam lever 'I4 (Fig. V1(3) .having a cam roller 15 which operates against .an edge cam lImountedonfthe main drive shaft 5i) (Fig. 3). .It is this cam 'that shiftsithe stopnger 'II .nt'oand 'out of container gauging position intime with the movement 'of the containers through :the machine. The A@roller is maintained .in engagement with the cam .by a spring vbarrel 'I1 (Figs. 10 and .1:1) which'presses against the :ca-rn leverv 1i. The spring 4barrel 'is located ina .lug I8 sfo'rmedzon the machine lmain frame 25.

After a ycontainer :is .located properly fon Vthe lifter pad 65 and While the timing nger 51 is moving Vloack through 'a return stroke, the Icontainer is lifted lto .an elevated position to receive itsovercap. A. lFor this purpose the lifter pad is .formed on a long depending .sleeve 19 (Figs. 3 ,and .21) which contains a compression spring SQ and which yextends down `into .a long stem `8`|. The spring provides .a cushion .for the rcontainer to prevent its being crushed when "it is lifted Vup into a clinching head, Ias will be hereinafter explained. .The stein extendsdown through a slide bearing 82 :in thelmachinemainframe 25.

Thellowerend of the lifter stem 8| is connected pivotally lto a horizontal cam lever 83, Figs. 4 and 10, mounted on .a pivot shaft 814 carried in a bearing block 85 secured'to the main frame 25. The cam lever 83 extends adjacent the edge cam 116 and carries a cam roller 8'6 which operates in a cam groove 81 'formed in a `face of the edge cam. It s this cam :groove that raises and lowers the lifter pad .65 and a container B located 'thereongin .time with the other moving parts of the machine.

While a container B is being raised into a position to receive an voveroap A, the `ove'rcap is severed from the .supply roll E and shifted into vertical alignment with .the rising lcontainer, as hereinbefore mentioned. VThe supply roll E of overcap stock is retained on a reel (9| (Fig. 4) supported `Ona shaft '.92 (seealso Fig. 1) carried infbearing vbrackets .S3 formed 'on a super-structure or upper frame e4 of the main frame 25.

The 'web D of Yove'rcap material `as it comes from the supplylroll E., kpasses-over an idler pulley $35 which is mounted 'on .arms 1Si! carried on the roll shaft 32. From the idler roller 95, fthe web passes under a .fianged guide roller 96 (Figs. 4, 23 and 25) mounted 'on a shaft 91 carried in bearings 98 in a 'cut-off Vbracket 99 secured to the machine frame 25. The leading end of vthe web D is .held tightly between a 'stationary anvil pad I!!! and a superimposed pressure plate IIO`2.

The pressure plate m2 isloosely suspended from a stud A|03 (see Fig. 24) which extends up through a bore IM in a boss |05 on the cut-off bracket 99. The head of the stud rests Aupon a compression spring I 06 'which surrounds the stud and which is located in an enlarged shouldered borre |91 in the vboss |115. K

The pressure plate |02 also is maintained under pressure of a pair of vertical spring barrels III which bear down on top of the plate. The spring barrels are located in sockets I I2 Yformed in a yoke IIS which connects a pair of arms H4. These arms IM vare mounted .on a .pivot shaft formed 4in the out .off bracket 99..

Theiinner endsoftthe arms Ilditerminate adjacent'the innervends o'f the .anvil IIII vand the .pressure plate 132., :and .carry ya serrated out off knife III8 '(-see `also Fig. 18) which functions in severing an overcap A from the stripD. The opposite ends of the arms are 'tied together by a bridge ||9 and one of the arms is lformed with a .lever extension |2I. vThe lever extension Sis connected bya link v|22 (Figs. "4,6, 1'1 and 12) to a camarm |23 mounted on'a pivot shaft I 24 carried in bearing brackets |25 .formed lin 'the machine frame 25. The inner end Aof the cam arm |23 carries a cam .roller |26 (Figs-3 and 1.1) which operates against an .edge cam |21 mounted on "the main drive shaft 55. The roller is held against the cam by a tension spring '|25 (Fig. 12) which is connected between the cam arm and fa .bracket Y|25 which extends Yinwardly from the machine frame 25.

Adjacent .the cut-oli knife 'I 'i8 and spaced inwardly thereof is `a cooperating auxiliary fout-ofi knife |31 which is merely a support edge 4for the web being cut. The auxiliary cut-oit knife is disposed .below they path of travel ofthe web D and kis secured to the inner end of an auxiliary out-off lever |32. This lever is `mounted on the pivot shaft II5 and is connected by a 'link |33 to a cam lever |34. The cam lever is mounted 'on the pivot shaft v52e. The Iinner end of the cam lever |34 carries a fcarn roller 438 (Fig. 3) which operates in 1a cani groove |35 of 'a face cam 'MI mounted on `the main drive shaft 5B.

Thus as the 'main drive shaft '55 rotates, the the cams |21, MI sli-ift the'links 422, "|33 and thus operate the out-off levers IIA, |32 in scissor fashion in time with the yother moving parts of the machine. This -cuts oit an overcap from the web E. 'When 4the cut-off levers are in anopen position, as shown 'in Fig.4, the spring barrels I I I in the levers IM relieve pressure onthe pressure plate "to2 vand thus Vpermit the spring V|26 to raise the plate o'ff the web D. While the vpressure thus is relieved from the web, the latter is 'drawn forward a distance sufli'cient to Ameasure. and expose enough material to produce an 'overcap A.

After this predetermined quantity ofthe Web D has been measured off, the Acut-oh levers begin to-close or come together lfor the severing operation. lDuring this movement of the cut-off levers the spring barrels III 'move ldow-n against the pressure plate vIll-2 and thus Aforce the latter Adown against the vv'ebD. This clamps thelatt'er against the anvil lol and hence holds 'the web from movement. As Athe cuit-ofi 'levers `continue toolose, the auxiliary knife |31 comes 'up 'against thefbottom of the 'web to support it ywhile the serrated knife |'I8 comes down against the top of the web 'first to :pierce :and 'then to Ysever the .o'vercap from the web.

In order to prevent the roll of overcap material from :rotating just after a length o'f the web AD is measured off, an automatic brake device is providedon the reel '9 I. This-device includes a brake drum |212 (Figs. 1 andi) which is mounted on the reel shaft 92 adjacent the reel. This-drum carries-a'rilobon brake 'band V|43 which operates over a pin IM carried in a boss |45 secured to a cover |45 for the reel 9i. This -end of the band is secured to a long adjustable stud I 41 which is carried loosely in 'the'bo'ss |45. A nut |49 on vthe outerend of the stud is provided for adjusting the brake band. v 'Theopposite :end of the brakeband |548 .is secured in a swing lever |50 mounted on a pivot pin |51 carried in a boss formed on the reel arm 93. The lever is maintained under action of a tension spring |52 which is stretched between the outer end of the lever and the reel cover |45. This keeps the brake band taut around the brake drum |42. The outer end of the lever also is formed with a button |53 which is located close but in spaced relation to one of the reel arms 90.

Hence when the web D of overcap material is pulled to measure 01T a length for an overcap. the web draws the reel levers 9|! downwardly and this brings Ithe lever on one side into engagement with the button |53 on the adjacent brake lever |58, This moves the brake lever inwardly. This movement of the brake lever releases the pressure on the brake band and thus frees the brake drum to permit the reel 9| to rotate.

When the pull on the web D ceases, the reel levers 98 shift back into original position under the action of a pair of springs |54 which are located one on each side of the reel and which are .stretched between the levers and the reel cover IAS. The engaged lever thus moves away from the button on the brake lever |50 and thereby permits the spring |52 to draw the brake band taut around the drum. This brings the reel 9| to rest and holds it against rotation until the web D is pulled again to measure off another overcap.

When no containers are passing through the machine, as when the pusher plate 36 is held inoperative, the knife lever IM and the pressure plate I |12 are held inoperative. This prevents feeding of the web D and also prevents an overcap from being cut off. This is brought about by a stop pin |55 (Figs. 4, 10, 1l and 12) having one end disposed adjacent the path of travel of a lug extension |58 on the knife operating cam arm |23. The stop pin |55 is carried in a bracket |51 formed on the main frame 25. The opposite end of the stop pin is connected by a link |58 to a short arm |59 formed as a part of the lever 39 mounted on the container pusher plate actuating rock shaft 31.

Hence every time the pusher plate actuating shaft 31 is rocked by the edge cam 42 to feed containers into the machine, the short arm |58 pushes the stop pin |55 into the path of travel of the lug extension |56 on the knife cam arm |23. This occurs in time with the movement of the knife cam arm and while the arm is at rest just prior to making a cut-off stroke. Normal- 1y the pin is again withdrawn before the cut-off stroke is performed.

However, when the pusher plate 36 Vis stopped from feeding containers into the machine, the rocker shaft 31 is held stationary with the stop pin |55 in an extended position. Hence when the knife cam arm |23 is about to operate through its next stroke it is stopped by the lug extension |55 striking against the extended stop pin. This prevents the arm from making its stroke and thus prevents operation of the knife ||8 and movement of the anvil pressure plate |02. It is this action, in connection with other elements yet to be described, that prevents feeding of the web D until .containers are again brought into the machine.

The measuring off of the overcap by drawing the web forward is effected by a pair of upper and a pair of lower gripper fingers |65, |66 (Figs. 3, 14, 15 and 22,). One upper and one lower finger are located on each side of the path of travel of the web D. The fingers on each side are carried on a swing arm |61 (see also Figs. 3 and 4). The two arms are mounted on a pivot sleeve, |68 (see Fig. 13) carried in bearings |89 in the upper frame 94.

At the ltop, the' swing arms are tied together by a tie member |1| so that they operate in unison. At the bottom, the lower end of each swing arm |51 is bifurcated and is formed with inwardly extending ears |15. (see Figs. 13, 16 and 22). These ears on each side form a support for a pivot pin |151` (see also Figs. 17 and 22) of the associated lower gripper finger |66.

Each lower gripper finger |66 is formed as an integral part on the inner ends of spaced and parallel lever arms |11. In the assembled position these two arms |11 are disposed inside of the ears |15. The ears form a mounting for the pivot pin |15.

Each upper gripper finger |65 is formed as an integral part of a single lever arm |8 I. This arm ts between the spaced arms |11 of the lower ngers. The inner end of each upper arm |8| is formed with a vertical slot |82 through which the pivot pin |18 extends. The outer end of each upper arm carries a short hinge pin |83, the ends of which extend into horizontally elongated slots |84 cut through the outer ends of the lower parallel arms |11.

The outer end of each upper gripper finger arm |8| is formed with a rectangular vertical shank |86 (see Figs. 14, 16 and 22) which is disposed in a vertical slideway |81 formed in the swing arm |81 on that side. The shank is retained against displacement by a cover plate |88 which is secured to the swing arm.

Each shank |38 is formed with a vertical, elongated slot in which a compression spring 19| is dispo-sed. The upper end of the spring engages against a pin |82 which is carried in the cover plate |88. This spring normally presses down on the upper finger arm |8| and maintains its fingers |55, 1% in a closed position, as shown in Fig. 14.

Actuation or opening of the gripper fingers |65, |65 at the proper time is effected by rods |95 (Figs. 3, 4 and 13) which are secured to the upper ends of the shanks |88 Rods |95 extend up through bearing blocks |56 on the outside of the swing arms |51. The upper ends of the rods are bifurcated and carry cam rollers |91 which operate on cam surfaces |88 of a pair of internal edge cams |98. Each cam is mounted on the outer end of a rock shaft 28| which extends through the swing arm pivot sleeve |68.

One of the edge cams |99, the one at the right as viewed in Fig. 3, is formed as an integral part of a lever 2&4 which is connected by a link 285 (Figs. l, 5 and 13) to a substantially vertical cam lever 285. The cam lever is mounted on a pivot pin 251 carried in a boss 258 of the upper frame Se. The lever carries a cam roller 289 which operates against an edge cam 2li mounted on a cam shaft 2212. A. tension spring 2 i3 stretched between the lever and the upper frame 54 holds the cam roller against the cam. The shaft is journaled in bearings 255 formed in the machine upper frame 81|.

The cam shaft 2|2 is rotated continuously by a bevel gear 22| (Fig. 5) which is mounted on the outer end of the shaft. The gear meshes with and is driven by a bevel gear 222 which is mounted on the upper end of a vertical tubular auxiliary drive shaft 223. The drive shaft is journaled in a bearing 224 in the upper frame 94 and in a bearing 225 (Figs. 3, 4 and 6) in the lower frame 25.

The lower endof the driveshaft223 carries av spur gear 228% (see also Fig. l1); which meshes with an idler gear 228 mounted on an idler shaft 23 journaled in a bearing 232 formed on the machine main frame. gear 235 which is mounted on the crank shaft 41 (Fig. 5) driven by the bevel gear connection 45, 49 with the main drive shaft 50. l

Thus through this connection with the main drive shaft 56, the cam 22| rotates in time with the other moving parts of the machine and actuates the cam lever 236 and its link 205 to open and close the gripper fingers |65, |65 as hereinbefore explained. This opening and closing of the gripper fingers is also effected in time with the movement of the swing arms |61.

The swing arms |61 are shifted by way of a link 24| (Fig. 4) which pivotally connects the swing arms with the lower end of a Cam lever 242 (see also Fig. 5). The cam lever is mounted on a pivot pin 243 carried in a boss 244 formed on the upper frame 94. Intermediate its ends the cam lever carries a. camV roller which operates in a cam groove 255 of' a face cam 246 mounted' on the camshaft 2l'2'. Y Y

The rotating cam 24S iirst shifts the swing arms ist outwardiyfmrougnan idle stroke into me posi'tion shown in 13.. lWhen first brought into this position, the ,gripper fingers |65, I'o are open and arefdispiosed along-side of' the anvil mi andr the, pressure plate |32. Thesepartshold'theleading end of the web D1. While iin this position of the swing arms, the gripper ngersA |55, |66 close, as hereinbefore explained, onto the outer edges of the: web Dwhi'ch project beyond the anvil HH and pressure plate |22. The web thus is held tightly by the fingersy and' it is at'this time that the pressurerplate` |212 is lifted to release the web.

Upon release of the web'D, the swing arms |615 movek back or inwardly while drawing the web withthem a distance equal' to?k the length of one overcap.V This isfthe overcap: measuring operation mentioned above and when the web is draw-n out farenough the swingl arms pause i'n their ,travelv This interruption ofr normal function` is effectedy bya stop pirr 251 (Figs. 1,4,.'5fand 13) which operates in conjunction with the stop pin F55 ofthe knife actuating lever |23- hereinbefore explained'.

The stop pin 25|= is located: adjacent the cam lever 206 and slides inf a bearing bracket 252 se'- cured on the main frameA 25; Oneendf of the'pin is; connected by a link: 252 to,- an arm 2511 mounted on, the upper' end of; a Vertical' shaft. 255. VAdjacent. thea-rm 2541, the shaft,A is carried in a bearingY brackety 25%, which extends out' from' the main frame: 25. The: shaft extends down through the middle; of the,v tubular shaft 2:23 and at its lower endA carries ana-17111251 which is connectedI by a link 258 tothe cam lever Hence as the cam', lever Serocks to actuate the The idlery gear 229, meshes with af of a rock lever Ziiisengaged.

pusher plate 35 tot position containersi-n-.the 70 ing: lever 2062' in time with. the movement, ofthe;y

lever.` When the pusher plate '3.5: is-stoppedfrom; 715

10 feeding containers into the machine, the vertical shaft 25.5 is held stationary andV its stop pin 253|` is` in an extended position in the path of travel of the finger actuating leverv 253. Thust the stop pin prevents actuating of the lever and this holds the gripper fingers |55, l 5t open so that they will not engage and withdraw the Vweb D, as hereinl before explained.

v After the overcap is severed from vthe web the swing arms te? resume, their backward swing and thus carry the cut-off overcap into a position directly over the tcp of the container B which is being lifted by they lifter pad' 65. The gripper 1ingers |65, |65 holdv the overcap in this-,position until it is picked upby the container. u

When the. topof the rising container B- engages against the suspended overcapn, the latter is clamped down tight. on the; container before the grippery fingers release it. Clamping of the ove-rcap. is brought about by a knock-out plunger 25| (Fig- 13); which-is. disposed in a clinching head 232I securedl tothe upper frame 92. The plunger. is carried on a vertical stem 265 which extends up through a head rsleeveZ- carriedin a slide bearing 261 in thev head. YNear its top end, thepl-unger y stemis formedwith a socket253in which one end:

'I'he rock lever 259 is mountedv on a pivotpin 21| carried in lugsy 212 formed in the( upperV frame S4. The. inner end of the rook lever en-v gages in a bifurcated end of a cam lever 215 mounted on a pivot pin214 secured ina bearing block 2 15'bolted tofthe upper frame. Interme diate its ends the cam` lever carries a cam roller 2.11 which operatesI in afcam groove in a. face cam 218 mounted on the cam shaft 212. l f Thus as the cam 218. rotates, it rocks the cam llever 213 which in turn shifts the rock lever 269.

Under contro] of this cam, the rock lever moves the knockout plunger 26| down. against4 the overcap and the top of the; rising container to-hold the overcap in place. Y As theV container conti-nues to rise into the clinching. head- 262, theI plunger rises with it and thus prevents displacement of the overcap.

As the container B`A with its superimposed overcap Aenters the clinching headY 262, the outer marginal edges' of the, ,overcap which project' beyond the outer edges of the container top engage against segmental olinching jaws 285 (Fig. 13) which wipe` the edges of the overcap down adjacent the sides of the container.A Four such jawsr arey illustrated. These jawsare secured to the lowerends of vertically disposedv arms 265 (see also Figs. 19 and 20) which are mountedon pivotr pins 281 carried inA lugs 288 formed on the head 262.

. Adjacent thev lower ends, the head arms 283 areV formed with beveledcam surfaces 29| which eng-age against cam rollers: 292 mounted on a disc- 293 in the headv 262.` The arms are.A held in engagement with these cam rol-1ers bya coiled spring 291|` whichv encircles the. head outside of and engaging against the arms.

. The disc: 293 is formed integrally with the head sleeve, 263. The upper end of the head sleeve is secured by an adjusting screwv 29-1 to a sliding bracket ill'which` is disposed: ina vertical slide,- way set offA by cooperating gibs 352V (Fig. 3) bolted to. thev upper frame 94.

The sliding bracket 36| is shifted vertically toV actuate; thev clinching jaws 28.5'. For this purpose theV sliding bracket ispivotally connected to one end of a. pair of spaced and, parallel toggle links 305 (Figs. 3, 13- and 19). whichat their opposite ends carry a pivot pin 3|J6 on which is mounted a toggle arm 301 and one end of an actuating rod The actuating rod 398 is connected to the upper end of a cam lever 3|| mounted on a pivot pin 3|2 carried in brackets 313 formed in the upper frame 94. Intermediate its ends, the cam lever carries a cam roller 3|4 which operates in a suitable groove in a face cam 3|5 (Fig. 5).

Hence rotation of the cam 3|5 rocks the cam lever 3| I and-through the toggle connection with the sliding bracket 30|, shifts the head sleeve 266 through a downward or operating stroke and then upward through a return stroke. On the down stroke, the sleeve depresses the disc 293 and the cam rollers carried thereon and this permits the spring 294 to move the jaw arms 286 inwardly. This movement of the jaw arms presses the jaws 285 inwardly against the wiped down edges of the overcap A and thus folds the overcap edges up under the overhanging top ledges Cl of the container. At the same time the head sleeve presses down slightly on the knockout plunger 26| andthus sets up a squeezing action between the plunger and the jaws to bond the folded-under edges of the overcap to the container ledges. Y Y Y The jaws285 are heated, to facilitate the bonding ofthe overcap edges to the containerY ledges by partially melting the wax on the containerl This heating is effected by electric heating units 3|`| (Fig. 1'3) which are embedded in the jaws and which maybe connected to any suitable source of electric energy for heating theunits.

It is this folding and heating action on the overcap that permanently clin'ches it in place on then container.

After such a clinching operation, the jawsf235V are opened by an up-stroke of the head sleeve 266. This brings the cam rollers 292 on the head sleeve disc 293 against the bevel cam surfaces ofthe jaw arms'2186 and thus Vspreads apart thearins and the jaws carried thereon, under the resistance of the spring 294. y y

When the jaws 285 are fully open, the lifter pad 65 carries the sealed container down to its original level in readiness for discharge from the machine. At this level the container is engaged bya discharge nger 32| (Figs. 3 and 6) of the stroke bar 58 and is pushed off the lifter pad 65 onto a discharge belt 322. The belt operates over a pulley 323 mounted on a short pulley shaft 324 (see also Fig. 10,) carried in a bearing 325 formed in the gear housing 62,. 1

The pulley 323 is rotated constantly by a bevel gear 321 which is located inside the gear housing 62 and is mounted on the pulley shaft 324. This gear meshes with and is driven by a bevel pinion 328 mounted on a vertical shaft 329, the upper'end of which is journaled in a bearingV 33| formed in the bracket 6| secured to the top of the gear housing. The lower end of the shaft is journaled in a bearing 332 formed in the bottom of the housing. This lower end of the shaft extends below the bearing and carries a bevel gear 3'33 which meshes with a driving bevel pinion 334 mounted on the main drive shaft 5U. Through this connection the discharge belt is constantly operated to carry containers received thereon to any suitable place of deposit. A

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoingl description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form,

CII

construction and arrangement of the parts without Vdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

l. In a machine for applying protective over caps to moving containers, said machine including an overcap applying head, a pair of swing arms located adjacent said head and means for effecting relative movement between theV containers and said head for applying an overcap to a said container: the combination of gripper ngers mounted on said swing arms for pulling a continuous web of overcap material to measure off a predetermined length of the web, cutting devices disposed adjacent the path of travel of said web for severing the gripped measured-off portion of the web from the remainder of the web'to produce an individual overcap, and actuating means 'cooperatively associated with said swing arms, said actuating means operating to shift the arms to first 'measure 'off the overcap and thereafter to locate the held cut-off overcap in position between the container and the apply ing head.

2. In a machine for applying protective'overcaps tomoving containers, said machine including an overcap applying head and means for effecting relative movement between the containers and said head for applying an overcap to a said container: the combination of a pair of swing arms located adjacent said head, gripper ngers mounted on said swing arms for pulling a continuous web of overcapmaterial to measure off a predetermined length of the web, cutting devices disposed adjacent the path of travel of said web for severing the held measured-off portion of the web from the remainder of the web to produce an overcap, actuating'means cooperatively associated with said swing arms, said actuating means operating to shift the arms to first measure oil' the overcap and thereafter to locate the held cut-01T overcap in position between the container and the applying head, means for operating said gripper ngers independently of said swing arms to retain a grip on the cut-off overcap while the latter is cut off and carried to the container, and means for actuating said gripper nger operating means toY release the severed and positioned overcap immediately prior to the applying operation.

3. In a machine for applying protective over-V caps to containers, said machine including vfeeding devices for introducing containers into the machine in a continuous procession, means engageable with the containers as they enter the machine for separating them individually from the entering procession to arrange them in timed order, auxiliary feeding devices for intermittently advancing the individual timed containers into and beyond an overcap applying station, and an overcap applying head operatively disposed at said station the combination of means for :mov-Y ing an individual overcap into positionrbetween a said container and said'applying head, said moving means including a pair of swing arms located adjacent said head, gripper ngers mounted on said swing arms for pulling a c ontinuous web of overcap material to measurel olf a predetermined length of the web, cutting devices disposed adjacent the path of travel of said web for severing the measured-olf portion of the web from the remainder of the web to produce an overcap, and actuating means for moving saidV swing arms relative to said head to properly locate the overcap with respect' to the container preparatory to the applying operation.

4. In a machine for applying protective overcaps to containers, the combination of means for holding a web of overcap material, a pair of swing arms pivotally mounted relative to said web holdingmeans, gripper fingers on said arms for gripping an end of thev web and for pulling the web through said holding means, cutting devices pivotally mounted adjacentV said holding means for cutting the web to produce anv overcap, and actuating means for moving said swing arms in AUGUST E. ALMGREN.

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